Put on the espresso because Italy is coming! For the first time in tournament history, the azzurri are in the semifinals, its team of espresso-shot-taking, cheek-kissing home run hitters blasting its way to Miami.
Italy has hit the second-most home runs in the tournament behind the Dominican Republic, with Vinnie Pasquantino’s three against Mexico and Dante Nori’s two homers leading the team. Whoever faces them will need to contend with a lineup that has a .982 team OPS, though its two best starters – Aaron Nola and Samuel Aldegheri – won’t be able to go in this one.
2026 World Baseball Classic
Semifinals presented by Capital One
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Venezuela is now back in the semifinals for the first time since 2009. While they lost against the Dominican Republic in a tight game to finish pool play in Miami, the team has otherwise looked solid with Ronald Acuña Jr, Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez all starring for the team. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar came up huge in the upset victory against Japan in the quarterfinals, while Enmanuel De Jesus – who spent the last two years in the KBO – has potentially pitched himself onto the Tigers' Opening Day roster with his performance in the tournament.
When and where: Monday, March 16 at 8 p.m. ET at loanDepot park
How you can watch: The game will be available on FS1 in the United States and streaming on Netflix in Japan.
The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will combine to air all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in the United States, and all matchups will be available to stream live and on-demand on FOX One. Additionally, 41 out of the 47 contests will air in Spanish across a combination of FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App, Tubi and FOX One.
How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.
Team results: Italy is a perfect 5-0, upsetting the United States and two-time WBC runners-up Puerto Rico by the same 8-6 score. It is only Italy and the Dominican Republic who are still undefeated.
Venezuela is 4-1 – its only defeat against the Dominican Republic – with victories against the Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua and the defending champions, Japan.
Probable starting pitchers: Keider Montero (Venezuela) vs. Michael Lorenzen (Italy)
What’s at stake: Win and a spot in the championship game on Tuesday is yours. It’s remarkable that Italy has come this far: In 2013 and ‘23, Italy advanced beyond the group stage but won a total of four games combined in those two tournaments. The team has become the darlings of this year’s tournament and its success has garnered coverage from major Italian newspapers and politicians. How far can it possibly go?
Venezuela was one Trea Turner grand slam away from reaching the semis in 2023, but now it's back for the first time since 2009. It’s the second straight international tournament under manager Omar López that they’ve gone this far: The team finished fourth in the 2024 Premier12 in Tokyo. With a lineup that has always been filled with MLB stars, it’s been a bit surprising that the team has never reached the finals before. That could change with one more win.
Matchup history: Italy and Venezuela faced off three times in the 2006 and ‘09 tournaments, but they weren’t particularly close: Venezuela won all three games by a combined score of 23-1.
But in 2017, the teams played two incredible contests – including a tiebreaker for who would advance to the second round, something that doesn’t happen under current World Baseball Classic rules.
In the first game, Venezuela won, 11-10, in a wild back-and-forth contest. Venezuela came back from a 5-0 deficit to take an 10-8 lead in the top of the ninth as Salvador Perez hit a two-run home run off the ambidextrous pitcher, Pat Venditte. But in the bottom half, a Chris Colabello RBI ground out and Gavin Cecchini single tied it up. Italy wanted to win the game in regulation, but center fielder Ender Inciarte threw out Drew Butera to send it to extras.
In the 11th, Martin Prado doubled in Jose Altuve for the victory.
The teams then faced off in a tiebreaker to decide who would finish second in the pool and get to advance. El Vinotinto was trailing, 2-1, in the ninth with John Andreoli driving in both of Italy’s runs, before Venezuela stormed back. Miguel Cabrera then hit a game-tying home run, Rougned Odor knocked in Victor Martinez and a suicide squeeze Alcides Escobar gave Venezuela some breathing room. They’d need it as Alex Liddi smashed a solo home run to cut the lead to one in the bottom of the ninth.